PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Xeon Gold 6438N vs Xeon Platinum 8160M FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Xeon Gold 6438N vs Xeon Platinum 8160M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Xeon Gold 6438N

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+81.8% larger total L3 cache (60 MB vs 33 MB).
✅Costs $1,649 less on MSRP ($3,351 MSRP vs $5,000 MSRP).
✅Delivers 48.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 15.8 vs 10.6 PassMark/$ ($3,351 MSRP vs $5,000 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of LGA3647 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌36.7% higher power demand at 205W vs 150W.

Xeon Platinum 8160M

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 150W instead of 205W, a 55W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6438N across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (15,000 vs 20,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (33 MB vs 60 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.6 vs 15.8 PassMark/$ ($5,000 MSRP vs $3,351 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA3647 with DDR4, while Xeon Gold 6438N moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6438N better than Xeon Platinum 8160M?

Yes. Xeon Gold 6438N is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 33.3% better Geekbench multi-core, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon Gold 6438N is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6438N is the stronger fit. You are getting 33.3% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 81.8% larger total L3 cache (60 MB vs 33 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Xeon Gold 6438N is the better buy right now. Xeon Gold 6438N comes in $1,649 cheaper on MSRP at $3,351 MSRP versus $5,000 MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 48.2% better value on MSRP (15.8 vs 10.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon Gold 6438N makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2017), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of LGA3647, 81.8% larger total L3 cache (60 MB vs 33 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 32 cores / 64 threads instead of 24/48. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Xeon Gold 6438N vs Xeon Platinum 8160M Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Xeon Gold 6438N

The Xeon Gold 6438N is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 60 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 205 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 52,789 points. Launch price was $3,351.

Xeon Platinum 8160M

The Xeon Platinum 8160M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 25 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 33 MB. L2 cache: 24 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 53,158 points. Launch price was $7,704.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Gold 6438N packs 32 cores / 64 threads, while the Xeon Platinum 8160M offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the Xeon Gold 6438N has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6438N versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8160M — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Xeon Platinum 8160M (base: 2 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6438N uses the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon Platinum 8160M uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6438N scores 52,789 against the Xeon Platinum 8160M's 53,158 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon Platinum 8160M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,500 vs 850, a 55.3% lead for the Xeon Gold 6438N that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 20,000 vs 15,000 (28.6% advantage for the Xeon Gold 6438N). L3 cache: 60 MB on the Xeon Gold 6438N vs 33 MB on the Xeon Platinum 8160M.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6438N	Xeon Platinum 8160M
Cores / Threads	32 / 64+33%	24 / 48
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.7 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.1 GHz+5%
L3 Cache	60 MB+82%	33 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	24 MB+1100%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	52,789	53,158
Geekbench 6 Single	1,500+76%	850
Geekbench 6 Multi	20,000+33%	15,000

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Gold 6438N uses the LGA4677 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon Platinum 8160M uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Xeon Gold 6438N versus DDR4-2666 on the Xeon Platinum 8160M — the Xeon Gold 6438N supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6438N supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 1536 GB — 166.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (Xeon Gold 6438N) vs 6 (Xeon Platinum 8160M). PCIe lanes: 80 (Xeon Gold 6438N) vs 48 (Xeon Platinum 8160M) — the Xeon Gold 6438N offers 32 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C741 (Xeon Gold 6438N) and C621 (Xeon Platinum 8160M).

Feature	Xeon Gold 6438N	Xeon Platinum 8160M
Socket	LGA4677	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+80%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	4096 GB+167%	1536 GB
RAM Channels	8+33%	6
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	80+67%	48

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Primary use case: Xeon Gold 6438N targets Server, Xeon Platinum 8160M targets Datacenter. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6438N rivals EPYC 9354; Xeon Platinum 8160M rivals EPYC 7401.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6438N	Xeon Platinum 8160M
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Server	Datacenter

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon Gold 6438N was priced at $3351, while the Xeon Platinum 8160M came in at $5000. On launch pricing ($3351 vs $5000), Xeon Gold 6438N was $1649 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon Gold 6438N delivers 15.8 pts/$ vs 10.6 pts/$ for the Xeon Platinum 8160M — making the Xeon Gold 6438N the 38.8% better value option.

Feature	Xeon Gold 6438N	Xeon Platinum 8160M
MSRP	$3351-33%	$5000
Performance per Dollar	15.8+49%	10.6
Release Date	2023	2017

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